Topic
Cost of Living
1,181 speeches · 246 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
| # | Member | Speeches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, M.P. JJB | 83 |
| 2 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 78 |
| 3 | Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 42 |
| 4 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 27 |
| 5 | Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, M.P. SJB | 27 |
| 6 | Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage, M.P. JJB | 24 |
| 7 | Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, M.P. JJB | 24 |
| 8 | Hon. S.M. Marikkar, M.P. SJB | 21 |
| 9 | Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, M.P. NDF | 20 |
| 10 | Hon. Mujibur Rahman, M.P. SJB | 18 |
Speeches
1,181 on this topic- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana requested that the price of rock bottles be reduced, addressing the Deputy Minister directly. He then began a second supplementary question referring to a matter Minister Nalinda Jayatissa had presented to Parliament about a year earlier, but the provided excerpt ends before the question is completed. Oral Question: Liquor Licensing and Tax Revenue (Q.912/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana argued that consumption of “gal” liquor is widespread, including at social events such as funerals, and said general statements about liquor were misleading. He suggested that the new Government could reduce health-related burdens by lowering the price of a bottle of “gal,” addressing the Deputy Minister directly on the matter. Oral Question: Liquor Licensing and Tax Revenue (Q.912/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government’s target is to reduce one in three electricity bills within three years by lowering generation and purchase costs. He said the CEB’s average generation cost had fallen from Rs. 37 to Rs. 29 per unit since the Government assumed office, a 22 percent reduction, and that the target is to bring it down further to Rs. 25 per unit. Oral Question: Private Electricity Generating Companies (Q.313/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake asked for clarification on a proposed measure’s impact on unit costs. He sought an estimate of how much the unit cost would fall and suggested that such a reduction should allow consumers to access lower prices with greater confidence. Oral Question: Private Electricity Generating Companies (Q.313/2024) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake requested an urgent Government statement on compensation and restoration following Cyclone “Ditwah”, citing delays, unpaid beneficiaries, returned Government cheques, unsettled insurance claims, and reports that many displaced people cannot return home. He asked for detailed, district-wise information on approved damage assessments, restoration costs, deaths and missing persons, housing damage, compensation categories and payments, unpaid beneficiaries, and reasons for payment failures. He also sought clarification on insurance claim settlements, donor assistance, spending from the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund, and the timing of an international donor conference, while questioning the reliability of existing loss estimates and the use of state entity contributions to the Fund. Parliamentary Announcements and Ministerial Statement Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Clarified that the cited Rs. 23,000 million allocation is not solely for Kivul Oya drinking water, but covers drinking water, irrigation and other uses. Explained that the relevant supply source is the Valachchenai Water Supply Project, dependent on the Rugam Tank scheme, which in turn requires the Mundeni Aru project; preliminary designs have begun though funding is not yet secured. Stated that, as an interim measure, a 1,000 m³/day package plant is being implemented, with another planned if needed, and funds have been allocated with completion targeted by November. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera, replying on behalf of the Minister of Finance, said the Special Commodity Levy on sugar imports was reduced to 25 cents per kilogram from 14 October 2020 under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2197/12, following a presidential directive to lower duties on sugar, dhal, canned fish and big onions to ease the cost of living. He listed the companies that imported sugar during the period and stated that, according to the Auditor General’s 2022 report, the revenue loss from the reduced levy on 336,949 metric tons of sugar imported up to 28 February 2021 was Rs. 16.76 billion. He outlined subsequent actions, including COPA’s direction for a CID investigation, the CID’s request for a forensic audit, the Auditor General’s position that further criminal investigation falls within the CID’s powers, and Inland Revenue’s ongoing recovery of income tax on importers’ profits. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan raised urgent concerns about post-“Titva” storm relief in the up-country areas, stating that only about 30–40 per cent of affected people in districts such as Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Matale and Kegalle had received promised assistance. He argued that hill-country estate communities, especially those in unsafe line-rooms and temporary shelters, require land rights and housing support, and questioned why the Government’s proposed alternate land and Rs. 5 million housing assistance were not being applied equally to them. He urged the Prime Minister and Government to create a special mechanism to allocate state plantation land for affected estate residents and ensure they receive the same disaster relief as other areas. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the President and relevant Ministers regarding gold jewellery pawned by Tamil people at the LTTE-run Tamil Eelam Bank during the war, which owners were unable to recover amid displacement and the final stages of the conflict. He cited wartime economic restrictions, continuing hardship and malnutrition in the North and East, and asked for data on the quantity of jewellery and number of affected persons. He requested details on any government programme or timeline for restitution, noting that the return of these items had been presented as an election pledge in 2024. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha briefly raised an issue regarding expressway toll charges, stating that travel from the Katunayake e-gate to the Kerawalapitiya exit previously cost LKR 1,150. His intervention appears to seek clarification or draw attention to a change or concern relating to toll payments on that route. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera stated that payments for “transitional” welfare beneficiaries, which were due to end on 31 December 2025, have been extended to 30 June 2026 through a proposal under the Welfare Benefits Act approved by Parliament. He said fresh applications were invited after the Government took office, with over 800,000 applicants and about 287,000 selected in the second round, while further beneficiaries will be added after bank account openings and the consideration of appeals and objections. Oral Question No. 6 (1222/2025) - Aswesuma welfare benefits Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Asked whether the Aswesuma benefits for recipients enrolled in 2022 under the three-year transitional category, which ended in December, would be extended. He also sought clarification on whether the Government had selected any new beneficiaries since taking office and, if so, how many. Oral Question No. 6 (1222/2025) - Aswesuma welfare benefits Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister, stated that there are 1,657,621 current “Aswesuma” beneficiaries and that all approved eligible beneficiaries will continue to be paid. He said additional applicants are still being processed, including cases pending Divisional Secretariat verification, Welfare Benefits Board approval, bank account opening, and final decisions on appeals and objections. Payments to eligible persons in these categories are expected to begin from 28 January 2026 once approvals are completed and bank details are available. Oral Question No. 6 (1222/2025) - Aswesuma welfare benefits Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for details on the current number of “Aswesuma” beneficiaries and whether all eligible persons are receiving the benefit. He further sought clarification on steps to include eligible persons not yet receiving the benefit, including the date from which payments would be provided, or reasons if such action is not being taken. Oral Question No. 6 (1222/2025) - Aswesuma welfare benefits Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera outlined the Aswesuma welfare payment categories under the Welfare Benefits Act, noting recent increases for poor and severely poor beneficiaries and continued support for elderly persons, persons with disabilities and CKD patients. He said the immediate proposal is to extend for six months the Rs. 5,000 monthly allowance for the vulnerable group, which ended on 31 December 2025, in view of the impacts of Cyclone “Diththa.” He stated that the Government aims to reduce dependency by empowering beneficiaries through economic activity, supported by annual re-registration and an electronic data system to identify eligible recipients and ensure timely payments. He also briefly defended the Government’s education reforms against Opposition criticism. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake criticized the Government’s welfare, foreign employment, and public sector management policies, arguing that earlier opponents of welfare now accept its necessity while youths seeking jobs in Israel face unfair selection processes and possible exploitation by agencies. He raised allegations of mismanagement and losses at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, concerns over removal of senior citizens’ preferential deposit interest, irregular Police transfers, education standards, displacement at Ridigama Tank, CEB promotions, and transfers affecting military intelligence personnel. He also questioned the functioning of the State Plantation Corporation and urged the Government and President to treat communities in the North, East and South equally while respecting war heroes and avoiding communal tensions. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe defended the Aswesuma welfare payment scheme, linking it to the Government’s wider plan to eradicate rural poverty by 2030 and criticizing the Opposition’s record on poverty. He said Budget 2026 allocates Rs. 240 billion for Aswesuma, supporting 1.9 million poor people and 1.27 million elderly persons, disabled persons and CKD patients, while also funding school supplies, shoe vouchers and meals for low-income students. He stated that the programme would extend across about 14,000 GN divisions and be paired with measures to build a production economy, rural housing and infrastructure, MSME support after the “Diththa” cyclone, wage increases and rural livelihood development. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth urged the Government to expedite review and payment issues under the Aswesuma welfare programme in the Pottuvil DS Division, including about 5,000 pending applications and 19 delayed payments, and requested revisions to the points-based selection criteria to better cover poor families. He also called for graduates employed in lower public service posts to be regularized onto appropriate MN salary scales and assigned work relevant to their qualifications. He requested that Eastern Province volunteer teachers appointed under Cabinet Decision No. 19/0314/127/009 have their 2005–2019 volunteer service counted for pension purposes, and asked authorities to upgrade lower-tier Muslim religious education institutions so their qualifications are recognized. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara JJB AI summary Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara defended the Government’s Aswesuma welfare programme, arguing that prices have fallen, lawful industries are developing, taxes are being collected from evaders, and public servants have received significant salary relief. He said poverty stems from long-standing failures in state intervention, protection for the elderly and disabled, education, health, housing, and security, and cited measures such as increasing the elderly allowance to Rs. 5,000 and allocating major funding for health. He also stated that the 2026 Budget supports rural roads, housing, self-employment, and industries, and argued that education reforms are necessary to reduce poverty. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad argued that welfare and social protection are necessary but must be financed sustainably through revenue, productive investment and systemic reform rather than continued borrowing. He proposed reviving a national disaster insurance scheme, creating contributory or dedicated funds for elderly pensions, and changing laws to reduce long-term Treasury dependence. He also urged integrating low-income and disabled beneficiaries into productive community roles and expanding technical and vocational training to help move households from welfare dependence to higher incomes. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Read →